This contains a transcription of the Hon. Bolivar Lovell of Drewsville, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Pages 14-15
Hon. Bolivar Lovell, an excellent example, as has been well said, of the best type of the village lawyer, died at his pleasant home in Drewsville, Cheshire County, N. H., June 10, 1893. Mr. Lovell was born in Drewsville, August 30, 1826, and was the second son of Aldis and Martha (Willard) Lovell.
His father, Aldis Lovell, who was the third son of Elijah and Abigail G. Lovell, was born in Rockingham, Vt., August 2, 1789. Until he was twenty-one years of age Aldis assisted his father about the farm, availing himself in the meantime of such educational opportunities as the little town afforded. But, wearying of farm life, he determined to seek more congenial fields. Deciding to fit himself for the legal profession, he spent a few terms at the Chester Academy, and in 1818 went from there to New Market, N. H., to pursue a course preparatory for college. Having completed that course, he entered the law office of the Hon. Daniel Kellogg, of Saxton’s River, Vt., and after two years’ close study he was admitted to the bar at Newfane, Vt. He took up practice in his native town, but shortly removed to Drewsville, N. H., where he continued active in his professional till the time of his death, which occurred March 12, 1866, his duties extending into Alstead and other adjacent towns. He was County Solicitor for ten years, between 1840 and 1850; but, while he figured prominently in public life, he held few offices. He is spoken of “as a lawyer, honest, and in pursuit of justice untiring. Nothing would make him more impatient than to see wrong-doing go unpunished. He was one who enjoyed a good story, and could tell one himself.” He married Martha, daughter of Paul and Martha (Haskell) Willard, and grand-daughter of Colonel Henry Haskell, of Revolutionary fame. She was born at Lancaster, Mass., May 26, 1799, and died at Drewsville, N. H., August 12, 1851. The children of the union were Aldis, who died in infancy; Maria, who died in 1836, at the age of twelve years; Bolivar, the special subject of this sketch; Henry A., who married Georgie B., daughter of Ignatius Fellows; and Willard A., who married Julia A., daughter of Lyman Chandler.
Bolivar Lovell received a limited education in the district schools of the town of Walpole, and at the age of sixteen was taken into the employ of Cragin & Hartwell, merchants of Providence, R. I., where he remained for three years. The young man, however, had inherited a taste for the law, and he returned home at the age of nineteen to read law in his father’s office at Alstead. Appointed Deputy Sheriff at the early age of twenty-one, he acted in that capacity until the year 1855, when he was appointed Sheriff for the county of Cheshire. This office he held for ten years. In 1862 he was made United States Assessor of Internal Revenues for the Third New Hampshire District for eight years. He was admitted to the Sullivan County bar in 1869, and, entering at once upon the duties of his profession at Alstead, there acquired a remunerative practice, and became widely known. In 1873 and 1874 he was a member of Governor Cheney’s Council, and in 1879 he served on the State Board of Equalization of Taxes. In 1880 he removed to Drewsville, where he built himself a handsome residence adding a finely equipped office and well-chosen library.
He married in 1848 Sarah E. B., daughter of Hope and Fanny (Cooper) Lathrop, of Drewsville. Mrs. Lovell’s father came originally from Connecticut. In youth he learned the plater’s trade in Westminster, Vt., and in 1819 he removed to Drewsville, where he followed his trade for a few years, afterward for a number of years holding the office of Deputy Sheriff. His next interest was in the hotel business, and he likewise held the office of Postmaster for several years. He was a director of the Connecticut River Bank at Charlestown, N. H., and was president of the bank for some years before his death. Mr. Lathrop was cautious and sagacious in business, and under his presidency the bank prospered as it had never done before. He is said to have been a man of more than ordinary intellectual ability, added to an indomitable energy and persistency of character. He was twice married; and by his first wife, formerly Miss Fanny Cooper, he had three daughters–Sarah E. B., Lucia A., and Fanny. Mrs. Fanny C. Lathrop died June 4, 1837, and Mr. Lathrop married second a daughter of Thomas Drew, and widow of Joseph Bond, M. D. His home was in Drewsville, where he amassed a large fortune, and became one of the most prominent men of the town. Mr. Lovell is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sarah E. B. Lovell, and three children, namely: Martha Ellen, who married Dr. S. T. Smith; Hope L. and Aldis, both of whom make their home in Drewsville.
Capable and faithful in the discharge of trusts, liberal-minded, hospitable, uniformly kind and courteous, Mr. Lovell was much admired and beloved. However engrossed by private business or public duties, he was ever foremost in any movement for the advancement of the schools, the morals of youth, and the welfare of the community. When his useful and honorable career was closed by death, the press did not fail to pay tribute to his memory, one to whom he was well known writing:–
“As sheriff he was a model officer, fearless, exact, careful, and courteous, giving to his office the dignity and character which the tradition and teaching of our law demand.
“As a lawyer he was exact, careful, and painstaking, a wise and prudent counsellor and a most faithful attorney. He never took up a case until thoroughly convinced of its merits, and then strove with all of his characteristic tenacity and strong will to accomplish his client’s ends. While his modesty prevented him from taking the more showy and prominent positions in the trial of cases, our best lawyers knew when associated with him how greatly his skillful preparation of the case contributed to their success in the court.
“While his business life was thus faithful and conscientious, his private life was equally sweet and true, and his devotion to his family was as marked as to his clients and friends.”